Shepaug Valley falls to Trinity Catholic

Published 9:45 pm, Wednesday, June 1, 2011

In two Class S state tournament games, the Crusaders have scored 26 runs, collected 34 hits -- 14 for extra bases -- allowed four runs and have not committed an error.

Win No. 2 was Wednesday's 12-2 success against visiting Shepaug Valley, a team that was coming off a shutout victory against No. 6 St. Bernard.

"We see good pitching in the FCIAC all season and that helps us in the postseason," said Trinity coach Tracy Nichols. "Our success in these two games shows just how tough our league is and if you can be competitive in the FCIAC it helps in the tournament."

The 22nd seeded Crusaders (11-12) will be back in action Saturday night against No. 3 seed Windsor Locks at a site to be announced. It will be a long day for eight players who will graduate earlier in the day.

"We lost to a good team today," said Shepaug Valley coach Scott Werkhoven. "We had an early opportunity and didn't capitalize and they came out swinging the bats."

Dan O'Leary worked five scoreless innings for the win. He gave up two hits, didn't walk or strikeout a batter and hit two. Relievers Russo and Mike Polomba each worked an inning.

"It sounds funny to say defense was key for us, but it's true," Nichols said. "Kevin Epp had a big game for us at third base."

Epp, a junior, finished with seven assists, two of which started double plays.

The visiting Spartans (10-13) threatened early putting a pair of runners on to open the game. But Epp started a 5-4-3 double play and O'Leary induced a comebacker to end the inning.

Trinity took advantage of its chances in the bottom of the frame.

After a pair of walks, Patrick Murphy blasted a long two-run double and he came around to score on a ground out. Cortese singled and Epp delivered a two-run triple and scored on a ground out to make it 6-0

"We missed our chance and they showed that they swing the bats very well," Werkhoven said. "It's hard to come back after digging a hole like that."

The Crusaders added three runs in the third on a two-run homer by Epp and a RBI single by Spoto. Trinity Catholic closed out its scoring in the fourth on a two-run homer by Epp, a double by Merritt and a triple by Kyle Divico.